What’s a Bar Model? Why It’s a Math-Game Changer

Intro: “Hey Math Explorers! It’s Me - Digit Droid!”

I’m your trusty learning mindbot inside the E-Singapore Math world. You may know me from your child’s math portal: I’m the one who hands out those shiny coins, cheers when they get the right answer, and helps them unlock new outfits and accessories. (You haven’t lived until you’ve seen me in a pirate hat. Seriously.)

But today, I’m stepping off-screen to talk to you, awesome homeschool parents, and your brilliant kids, too.

Why? Because there’s a powerful math strategy I use all the time in our lessons and games.  It’s one of my absolute favorite ways to break down tricky word problems and boost confidence.

It’s called the Bar Model. Nope, it’s not a gym or a candy bar (though I do enjoy a digital snack once in a while). I’ve seen it a thousand times: bar models for problem solving flip the switch from “I don’t get it” to “I’ve got this!”

The Singapore Math bar model lets kids see the math story behind the question. No more getting tangled up in tricky sentences! That’s it! Simple rectangles, big thinking.

DROID TIP:

“Bar modeling turns math into a thinking process, not just a set of steps.”

Stick with me for a few minutes, and I’ll show you:

• What a bar model is
• What the different types of bar models are
• Why bar modeling math is so helpful in homeschooling
• How to solve word problems using bar models
• Where it fits across the Singapore Math curriculum
• And yes, I’ll even answer some common questions at the end!

What Is a Bar Model?

A bar model is a picture made of rectangles. These humble bars help young learners break down problems that involve addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. Each rectangle stands for a number, a part of a number, or a mystery number (that’s the one with the “?”).

You’ll also hear bar model math called a strip diagram or a tape diagram. Same idea, different names but I call it awesome. These models help students grasp math concepts like part-whole relationships, comparisons, and missing numbers. 

Example time!

WORD PROBLEM:

The toy train is carrying 14 toy animals and 2 toy cars. How many toys are on the train altogether?

• Draw one bar labeled 14
• Draw another labeled 2
• Bracket both with a “?” above them

14 + 2 = ?

Boom! That’s a Part-Whole Bar Model.

DROID TIP:

“If your child can draw two rectangles and label them, they’re already doing bar modeling math!”

Did you know?

The bar model method started in Singapore in the 1980s to help young learners develop visual understanding. You might also hear it called the tape model or the model method. Different names, same goal: take a tricky word problem and turn it into a picture with simple rectangles your brain can actually work with. 

Benefits of Bar Modeling: Power Up Your Math Brain!

The Singapore bar model method is more than drawing boxes. The bar diagrams build a thinking process. It’s a repeatable go-to move that turns words into clear, visual thinking.

Here’s what bar modeling helps your child do:

• Visualize how different amounts work together in a problem
• Organize information before jumping into calculations
• Choose the right operation (add, subtract, multiply, divide)
• Build true understanding instead of relying on memorized tricks or keywords
• Grow in confidence because they can actually see the logic

Bar modeling pops up in every part of the Singapore Math journey. Why? Because it helps kids think through problems in ways that really stay with them. Kids who practice using bar models for problem solving build powerful, strategic thinking. Sure, it starts with word problems using bar models, but those skills spill over into all kinds of math challenges. And it comes in handy with fractions, percentages, ratios, and even those big, twisty problems with lots of steps!

It also carries over to fractions, ratios, percentages, and even complex multi-step questions.

DROID TIP:

“Bar models guide kids to figure out what the problem is actually about before they start calculating.”

How Do Bar Models Solve Word Problems?

Bar modeling lets kids sketch out what’s really going on in a problem before jumping into the math part.

Example 2

There are 325 girls on The Express. There are 25 fewer boys than girls. How many boys are there on the express?

Now it’s easy to see the subtraction:

325 – 25 = 300

DROID TIP:

“Let the bar model do the heavy thinking. It’s like your math map!”

For parents: ask guiding questions while your child draws, like:

• “What does this bar represent?”
• “Where’s the missing number?”
• “What kind of model is this?”

What Are the Different Types of Bar Models? 

Bar models come in two major flavors and knowing which one to use is half the battle!

Part-Whole Models

This model comes in handy when you’ve got some of the pieces and need to figure out what’s missing or when you have the total and want to break it into parts.

These are perfect for teaching:

• Addition and subtraction in first and second grades
• Multiplication and division in third grade and beyond

Example 3

Harper has 19 LEGO sets in her cargo. 5 of them are spaceship sets. The rest are castle sets. How many castle sets does Harper have in her cargo?

Works great with younger kids! Kids can spot the whole story just by looking. No need to rush into math sentences right away.

DROID TIP:

Unit bars in math are your child’s first step toward thinking visually and they’re super beginner-friendly.

Comparison Models

This one’s perfect for comparing two different amounts. It’s especially useful for subtraction and for understanding differences in quantity even before formal equations are introduced.

Example 4

Jack has 31 cucumbers in his cargo. Emily has 47 more cucumbers in her cargo than Jack. How many cucumbers does Emily have?

Stack or align two bars → one longer than the other → difference = “?”

These are great for developing early comparison skills, which are essential for understanding subtraction, ratios, and later concepts like percent.

DROID TIP:

“Teach your child to ask: Is this comparing or combining? That question tells you which model to use.”

How to Introduce Bar Modeling into Your Homeschooling

Here’s how to get started:

• Start small: simple addition or subtraction problems
• Use paper, whiteboards, or even snacks to represent bars
• Don’t aim for perfect drawings — just clear thinking
• Let your child talk through the model
• Make it a habit: “Before solving, let’s draw the bars!”

DROID TIP:

“It’s okay if the bars aren’t perfect — the goal is to build thinking, not art!” 

Using Bar Models Across the Singapore Math Curriculum

The Singapore bar model method isn’t just for primary grades. It supports learning across the whole math curriculum. Bar modeling grows with your child.
It’s used in:

• Addition & Subtraction (Part-Whole)
• Multiplication & Division (Repeated Parts)
• Fractions (Dividing bars into parts)
• Ratios (Comparing units)
• Percentages (Part of 100)
• Even algebra (Finding unknowns!)

DROID TIP:

“The more advanced the problem, the more useful the bar model becomes!”

You Did It, Math Heroes! (Final Thoughts from Your Favorite Droid)

Whew! You learned what the bar model method is, why it works, and how to teach it. Whether you're just starting out or looking to reinforce Singapore Math bar model strategies at home, you’ve got the tools now.

Whether you're a math-loving parent or a curious kid, remember: Bar models = your secret strategy for unlocking math understanding.

And in the E-Singapore Math program, you’ve got me, your custom Droid.  I’m not just a floating helper. I’m part coach, part cheerleader, part math-powered mindbot.

• Celebrating wins
• Offering clues
• Rewarding effort with coins
• Making learning fun with customizable features and math games

So, go ahead and sign up for our free trial!

Because when learning is visual, strategic, and just a little bit fun...

That’s when math clicks.

See you inside the portal!